Mainland vs. island understory kelp density
A figure showing the area covered by brown algae at two sites on Santa Cruz Island from 2000 to 2015. Data source: SBC LTER; Figure credit: R. Freedman/NOAA.
Click for Details
Brown algae percent cover from LTER subtidal surveys at Santa Cruz Island (two sites, dark blue) and the mainland (nine sites, light blue) are shown in the trendlines above. Brown algae has been in decline since 2010 and is near record lows in the Santa Barbara Channel both at the mainland and in the Sanctuary. For more information, consult Figure App.E.10.20 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.`